L301: Lesson 3: Attitude

Attitude

Key Verse: “Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus Himself.” Philippians 2:5 (J.B Phillips Translation)

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to help the disciple understand and develop the attitude of Jesus in life, ministry, and leadership.

Leadership has less to do with position than it does with DISPOSITION.

Disposition is our posture and perspective on life.

Disposition is our ATTITUDE toward life.

Attitude (definition): “a manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one’s disposition, opinion, etc.” [Webster’s New World College Dictionary (USA, Macmillan, 1997)]

Attitude is a CHOICE.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church or a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. Nor can we change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We also cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you---we are in charge of our attitudes.” [Chuck Swindoll, Improving Your Serve,(Waco, Word, 1981)]

Attitudes are like rudders and sails on a ship. Sailors cannot control the waves and the wind, but they can control the direction of the ship by adjusting the rudder and the sails.

Our ATTITUDE will determine our ALTITUDE.

It is easy to have a good attitude when the weather is fine. But the real test of attitude comes when the weather gets stormy. In the storm the turkeys and the hens gather for shelter while the eagle flies into the storm. It positions its wings so that the wind thrusts it over the top where the sun is still shining. The storm is the same but for the eagle it is a whole different perspective!

We can choose to huddle with the turkeys, or we can choose to soar with the eagles. It is all a matter of attitude.

Attitude determines what we SEE and how we control our FEELINGS.

Attitudes are formed from our belief systems.

Attitudes reveal what we are willing and prepared to see.

Good attitudes cannot stop bad feelings, but they can keep bad feelings from controlling us.

A leader’s attitude will influence the way followers will THINK and FEEL.

Followers almost always absorb the attitude of their leaders.

“A leader’s attitude is caught by his followers more quickly than his or her actions.” --- John Maxwell

Attitudes also establish the climate in which followers, like tender plants, can flourish.

The right attitude sets the right atmosphere for growth.

Right attitudes are essential to reach our full POTENTIAL as leaders.

Attitudes can either release or bind the potential of God in us.

A good attitude gives us the EDGE over others who have similar or even greater abilities but who demonstrate poor attitudes.

Attitudes are indicators of the CONDITION of our heart.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

“Once our minds are ‘tattooed’ with negative thinking, our chances for long-term success diminish. We cannot continue to function in a manner that we do not truly believe about ourselves. Often I see people sabotage themselves because of wrong thinking.” [John Maxwell, Developing the Leader within You(Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 1993)]

Attitudes open or close the door of opportunity.

Change your attitude by changing the condition of your heart.

Attitudes are usually revealed by our

EXPRESSIONS

POSTURE

WORDS

ACTIONS

TONE OF VOICE

SUPPORT

INVOLVEMENT

ENTHUSIASM

Attitudes can release a BLESSING or a CURSE on our life.

Blessing is the spiritual empowerment to succeed.

Cursing is the spiritual empowerment to fail.

Nine Blessed Attitudes of the Kingdom of God (The Be-Attitudes, Matthew 5:3-12)

HUMBLE: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” We all have needs and we all need help. Humility is the attitude of knowing that we don’t have it all and that we cannot succeed alone. It is through this attitude that God chooses to reveal the riches of His grace deposited in the people around us.

POSITIVE: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Successful leaders know how to remain positive even through tough times. A positive attitude is found in knowing that God will keep His promises and will turn our grief into gain, our sorrow into singing, our trials into triumph, our tests into testimonies, and our tombstones into steppingstones.

MEEK: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” People of this world operate through push and shove, through control and demand. However, it is those who demonstrate the attitude of meekness that God says will inherit this earth. Meekness is not weakness. It is power under perfect control. Meekness knows that God is our Promoter. Meekness is the self-control to apply consistently and patiently the principles of God without the pressure to “perform.” Those who demonstrate the attitude of meekness make it evident that it is God’s power at work in them.

ENTHUSIASTIC: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Enthusiasm is an intense fervor or zeal. “Enthusiasm” comes from two words meaning “inspired or possessed by God.” If God is at work in our lives as leaders, we should be enthusiastic, demonstrating that we are inspired of God. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious. Successful leaders always have it and look for it in others.

MERCIFUL: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” We all fail and make mistakes. Children stumble and fall while trying to walk. It is part of the learning process. God has shown us mercy through Jesus Christ by forgiving us such a great debt of sin. He has allowed us a chance to start over. If God has given us the space to fail and try again, then leaders should also allow followers the space to fail and try again. Every successful leader is a past failure who obtained mercy and another chance to succeed.

HOLY: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Holiness is the attitude of being set apart for God. We must choose our attitudes based on God’s standards rather than have our own. Pure and unselfish attitudes will allow us to see and reflect God clearly to those we lead.

PEACEMAKER: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Anyone can give into an attitude of strife and division. It takes the attitude of a peacemaker to bring about reconciliation. Peacemakers are bridge builders. They realize that fighting and division has been the devil’s plan from the beginning. Jesus came to change that. Peacemakers make it their aim to reconcile differences and to restore team effort. In a world searching for peace, it is the peacemaker’s attitude that identifies us as the offspring of God.

FORGIVING: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Even after we have done everything right to the best of our ability, we can still find ourselves an abused victim in human relationships. Jesus told us that offenses would come. But that does not mean that offenses should control our lives. We can choose to be an overcomer. We must choose to overcome retaliation with forgiveness, quitting with perseverance, and hate with love. When we are abused for the sake of righteousness, we must choose to believe that God is keeping accounts and will settle the score. In godly suffering we learn to commit our souls to God while we continue to do good (I Peter 4:19). We can be glad that we are allowed to be partakers in Christ’s suffering so that His love will be perfected in our hearts.

GRATEFUL: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Successful leaders maintain an attitude of gratitude. A grateful attitude understands that no matter how hard things get, God is still good, and He gives us better than we deserve. Successful leaders are grateful for even the smallest efforts demonstrated with desire by those who follow. They refrain from critical and demeaning conversation, always rejoicing in what they see ahead. Those who maintain the attitude of gratitude will inherit a great reward in heaven while maintaining a perspective of God’s goodness on earth.

Eight Bad Attitudes to Avoid

RESENTMENT: The feeling that you are not being recognized or appreciated or considered. It can also be a feeling of being taken advantage of and used by others. Remember that you are here first to serve God, not people. Your recognition and reward will come from Him.

DISCOURAGEMENT: The feeling that you want to quit because you are not bearing good or lasting fruit. Remember that it is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12). Make sure you are following good “farming” techniques and then keep on doing good believing you will reap in due season if you do not quit (Galatians 6:9).

SELF-PITY: The feeling that no one cares and that you are a singled out and mistreated. Self-pity is an exclusive emotional party made up of “me, myself, and I.” Elijah fell into self-pity. God rebuked him and revealed that there were many others in Israel just like him. Therefore, he needed to get up and get back to the work God had called him to do. (1 Kings 19) Live the crucified life and self-pity will not be able to creep in.

REJECTION: The feeling that everyone is against you and that, therefore, you do not belong. Giving into the feelings of rejection leads you to reject others. They in turn resent your rejection and reject you again in turn. Soon this cycle of rejection almost demands that you just quit and find somewhere else where you are accepted. The only way to stop the cycle of rejection is to become confident in the fact that you are accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ, and to stop basing your feelings of acceptance on the shaky nature of human beings.

CORRECTION: The feeling that I am being picked on by leadership. One of the characteristics of a successful leader is how well he receives correction. Correction is not rejection. Even Jesus consistently corrected and challenged His disciples. Every parent does the same with his child as part of training. True sons and daughters will receive correction as love.

TEMPTATION: The feeling that you are tired of living with too many restrictions. You want to “run” and take a moral or self-centered “vacation” from obligation and responsibility. Realize that the devil is looking for an opportunity to discredit your ministry and to steal your influence as a leader. Leaders are required to live by standards that average Christians have not yet chosen. It is the price and the privilege of leading others and it brings great reward for those who serve faithfully.

CONFUSION: The feeling of losing touch with your purpose. The edge on ministry becomes dull. Vision is cloudy and enthusiasm is missing. Extended periods in this state usually lead to “burnout.” Burnout takes place when there is no fresh oil in the lamp and the only fuel left is the wick (you!). Take time to get alone with God and to wait upon Him in prayer, fasting, and the Word. As you do the oil will be replenished, purpose will be regained, and vision will be restored.

DISTRACTION: The feeling that material things are becoming more and more important. You notice that all your friends are going fishing, hunting, shopping, etc. when you are committed to ministry. The devil will tell you that you need a rest so that you can participate. Everyone needs a rest, but not forever. Remember that the devil is looking for an opportunity to get you so entangled with other things that you no longer have time to serve God. Do not get distracted. Keep your life simple. View the things in life as borrowed and able to be returned at any moment when the Master calls.

The Devil’s Bad Attitudes

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

“Blessed are the proud, for they shall be called my children.”

“Blessed are the unforgiving, for they shall never be reconciled.”

“Blessed are the unmerciful, for they shall fall without remedy.”

“Blessed are those who sow discord and division,

for they shall inherit my kingdom.”

“Blessed are the critics, for no one will measure up to their standards.”

“Blessed are the self-centered, for they shall not meet the needs of others.”

“Blessed are those who demand to be recognized,

for they shall receive my recognition.”

“Blessed are the easily offended, for they shall become angry and quit.”

“Blessed are the self-righteous, for they have forgotten

from where they came.”

“Blessed are the accusers, for they shall hear my voice.”

“Blessed are the unholy, for they shall see my face.”

“Blessed are those who rebel, for they shall lead my army.”

“Blessed are those who follow their lust, for they shall be consumed.”

“Blessed are the excuse makers, for they shall be self-justified.”

“Blessed are those who profess to love God and hate their brother,

for they shall be with me forever.”

“Blessed are the do-nothings, for they shall wear out the diligent.”

“Blessed are the troublemakers, for they shall be called my helpers.”

“Blessed are the ungrateful, for they shall never be satisfied.”

“Blessed are those who gossip, for they shall be called my messengers.”

“Blessed are the unfaithful, for they shall receive their reward.”

“Blessed is he who expects to be invited to his own church,

for he is important to me.”

“Blessed are those who feel it is not their duty to serve others,

for they shall be called my servants.”

“Blessed are those who murmur and complain,

for they shall inherit the barren places.”

“Blessed are those who do not pray, for they shall become my prey.”